Happy Food; Is this News Worth Reporting?
This fresh pea risotto was another delicious dish I enjoyed while visiting family over the weekend. The peas had been freshly picked in the garden and was both pureed and stirred whole into the risotto. This was the first course of our feast on Saturday night. Risotto is definitely happy food in my book.
Is This News Worth Reporting?
Before I write this blog, I usually read a variety of newsletters, blog feeds, and other sources of food news to share with you here. Today, I found nothing inspiring. Yes, there was the depressing news that scientists are beginning to see the effects of the oil spill on the food web in the gulf. But that’s not a big surprise, in my opinion, it was only a matter of time before that happened. There was also the bit about scientists finding that a diet higher in fresh fresh fruits and vegetables, compared with one high in meat, fats and refined foods, reduces the risk of colorectal cancer, again not especially surprising. The fact that high fiber breakfasts enhance fat burning almost as much as working out on an empty stomach was good news for those of us who can’t work out on an empty stomach.
My question to you, readers, is what kind of food news do you find interesting? What types of stories would you like me to report on here? Are these news bits worth reporting in more detail? Or is there other types of food news you’d like me to find and share with you? I especially would like to invite my silent readers to share your thoughts in today’s comments section of this blog, just below. I look forward to your thoughts. Thanks!
Entertained; Mainstreaming of the Locavore Movement
Over the weekend we made the 6 hour long journey to visit Joe’s sister and her husband’s farm/home in upstate New York. And were we ever well fed once we arrived there. They live the life of the locavore, growing as many of their own vegetables as possible and buying cheese, meats and produce from other local farmers. They don’t farm for commercial purposes, rather, it’s done out of a love for good food. So all weekend long we were entertained and treated to lovely meals made with as many local ingredients as possible. These delectable kebabs were the main course on our first night. They were accompanied by a delicious salad and a side dish of sugar snap peas and zucchini that were dressed with a garden pesto. Thus proving that healthy and tasty aren’t mutually exclusive concepts.
The Locavore Movement Marches Onward…
I stopped in a conventional supermarket today to pick up just a few necessities and was greeted by this mock farmer’s market as soon as I walked through the electric doors. Each of the items for sale in this display of produce came with a sign indicating the farm that grew it. If a large supermarket is putting in the effort to set up a fake local farmstand, they must either be feeling pressure from consumers, or competition from the real farmstands. I picked up a few fragrant peaches. As Annie would say, 5 Stars for local products!
So Fire Me; I Need More of This Spice
Last night I cooked one of my less than stellar dinners. These pork kebabs had potential with a nice Greek marinade, yogurt dressing, and good Greek salad. Unfortunately, we were running late for dinner, and I was rushing around so much that I neglected the kebabs on the grill and they were overcooked. I should have known better because this wasn’t the first time I’ve overcooked kebabs. Do you have any recipes that you chronically mess up?
Advice for the Day….Eat More Turmeric, I Know that I Should
I know that sometime recently I was discussing with someone the fact that turmeric is a really healthy spice. Sadly, I can’t remember the who or where, so when I just read this refresher on the spice, I thought it was worth sharing. Turmeric is the spice that gives curry its deep yellow color, but we Americans find it in our yellow mustard. Its anti-inflammatory properties help medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel conditions such as Crohn’s disease, and possibly Alzheimer’s disease – the reason I appear to need a little more mustard in my diet. This superstar spice also gives promise in recent studies with mice to have potential as an anti-cancer agent. The only warning I have about this spice is to be careful when you use it because it will stain clothing. A small price to pay for all of its potential.